Improvement in polishing-machines for boots and shoes



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. T. JONES. Polishing-Machine for Boots and Shoes. No. 222,792. Patented Dec.23,1879

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UNITED TATE e v PATENT @TfTroa.

LEVIN T. JONES, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,792, dated December 23, 1879; application filed April 16, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVIN T. JONES, of Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Boot and Shoe Polishing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine for brushing boots and shoes, the object being to provide an eflicient apparatus capable of rapidly polishing the shoe while on the foot. To this end a series of brushes, preferably nine in number, are attached to a suitable frame in such manner as together to have a form adapted to bear on all the parts of the shoe at once; and provision is made so that each brush is capable of independent adjustment to suit the requirements of a larger or smaller shoe, and each brush is kept in contact with the shoe by means of suitable springs, and the frame carrying the brushes is, by suitable mechanism, made to take a reciprocating motion, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through 00 as, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

The invention will first be fully described, and then designated in the claims.

As already indicated, this machine is intended to polish the shoe or bootwhile on the foot.

The letter A represents the frame, to which all thebrushes are attached. This frame must be of such dimensions as to receive within it a shoe of the largest size, and to allow of the reqmsite reciprocating motion-say a movement of about twoinches.

B represents the stationary footblock, of the ordinary form of such blocks, upon which the foot is to be placed.

0 is the toe-brush, attached by one or more hinges, a, at its upper edge, by which means it has a swinging movement. The hinges are each attached to a pin, 0, which fits freely a hole or socket in the frame. The brush is thus capable of being adjusted to or from the shoe by simply pushing the pin in or drawing it out, while a set-screw, c, in the frame will retain it in any position. A steel spring, d, is secured at the back of the hinge, or to a part of the pin 1) extending back of the hinge, and

presses against the back of the brush, serving to keep it in contact with the shoe.

D 1) represent the two side brushes, which are attached and also provided with springs in identically the same manner as the brush just described.

E E are the central side brushes or shankbrushes for the hollow of the foot, attached and adjusted as the brush first described.

F F are the heeLbrushes, which are attached so as to be adjusted, and provided with springs, so as to be pressed to the shoe in the same manner as the brush first described; but the swinging movement of these heel-brushes, instead of being from the upper edge, is from the end edge adjoining the shank or hollow of the foot, to provide for which a stud, c, is secured to the frame A, from which it depends in a vertical position, and affords means for attaching set-screws and springs, while the adjusting-pins and hinges are attached to the brushes.

G represents the central top brush next to the toe-brush, and is secured in a similar manner to the brush first described; or it may be secured in any other suitable manner, it not being necessary for this brush to have the same scope of adjustment as the other brushes.

H isthe instep-brush, which may be of a somewhat hollow or concave form, the better to fit the rounding shape of the instep, and is through a suitable guide, a, secured to the floor or to a stand. At the forward end of the frame a draw-head, p, is attached, to which is coupled one end of the rod q, the other end being attached to the crank-head r on the shaft 8, supported in suitable bearings t. This shaft also carries the small pulley a. A larger crank-pulley, r, within convenient reach of a cord to be attached to the back of each brush, and all the cords connected, so that by drawing on one all the brushes will be spread open.

The operation is as follows: A person desiring to have his boots or shoes brushed inserts his foot and rests it on the block B. All the brushes at once bear on the shoe. By turning the crank o-a reciprocating movement is given to the frame which carries the brushes, whilethe latter yield and adapt themselves to the shape of the foot at each successive movement, so that all parts of the shoe are brushed simultaneously.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. A shoe brushing machine having its brushes hinged to a reciprocating frame, and each brush provided with a spring to press the brush against the foot, substantially as set forth.

2. In a shoe-brushing machine, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a reciprocating frame and a series of brushes, which together are adapted to brush all parts of the shoe, and each brush being independently adjustable to or from the shoe. I

3. A shoe-brushing machine having a reciprocating frame, brushes hinged to pins adapted to slide in the frame, and means to press the brushes against the foot, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination,in a shoe-brushing machine, of the brush-carryin g frame A, adapted to slide back and forth in guides, connectingrod q, crank-head a", and mechanism to operate the same, as set forth.

LEVIN T. JONES.

Witnesses:

CHAS. B. MANN, CHAS. E. LEWIs. 

